WE SYNCED BUT HE ISN'T MINE

RAIN , JOLLOF AND BOUNDARIES

The chat had been open for hours.

Not just chatting.

They had been existing together.

Two people in two different rooms.

Liana sent a meme about overthinking at 10pm.

Leo replied with a voice note laughing too loud.

Then it shifted.

Like it always did when the night got honest.

*Liana: Today was… a lot. Client meeting went left. Then my boss is telling us to get ready for our design showcase that is just a week from now.*

*Leo: _typing…_*

*Leo: You want the joke version or the real version?*

*Liana: Real. Always real with you.*

*Leo: Then yeah. That sounds heavy. Come here.* _metaphorically_ *Talk to me.*

And just like that, for the 112th night in a row,

Leo made their chat a safe space.

Not just memes and “you won’t believe what happened today.”

But heart-to-heart.

The kind where Liana didn’t have to filter her faith, her fears, or her “I’m tired of pretending I’m fine” moments.

The kind where she could be tired and still be loved.

Over months they mapped each other out.

Same love for rain at night.

Same hate for loud eaters.

Same belief that life isn’t perfect, but it’s still good.

Same way of praying without pretending.

They had accepted life together — the ugly parts and all.

No judgment.

Just “me too.”

Just “I see you.”

So when Leo finally typed it, Liana’s chest did that thing it always did.

That flutter.

That ache.

That home.

*Leo: Can I ask you something random?*

*Liana: You just did. But go ahead.*

*Leo: Why does it feel… easy talking to you? Like, I talk to people all day. But with you, my brain doesn’t do the performance thing.*

*Liana: _stares at screen_ I don’t know… cause I have the same question.*

*Leo: Yeah.....*

Silence.

Not awkward.

Just full.

The kind of silence that holds weight and doesn’t drop it.

*Leo: Alexia was saying the same thing yesterday sha. That talking to me feels like “home.” She said I listen differently when I’m not trying to fix things.*

*Liana: _heart drops, then steadies_ She’s right. You do.*

*Leo: She’s been my safe space too, you know? For years before you. She knows all my weird. And still stays.*

*Liana: I know. And that’s… good. She should be your safe space not another person.*

Liana said... trying her best not feel sad about it.

Another beat.

Liana looked at her lock screen.

Leo and Alexia, laughing at a wedding 3 years ago.

Sun on their faces.

His arm around her.

She’d seen it when his phone lit up during a call last week.

She didn’t save it.

She didn’t delete it either.

*Liana: We sync, don’t we? Like… scary sync. Music, God stuff, even how we see broken people.*

*Leo: Terrifying sync. You get me in 2 words when it takes others 2 hours.*

*Liana: _smiles, but it’s sad_ Yh. But Leo… Alexia gets your history. Your “home.” I just get these late-night pieces. And I’m okay with that. I have to be.*

*Leo: _pause_ You deserve more than pieces, Liana. For real.*

*Liana: Maybe. But I’d rather have honest pieces from you than fake whole from someone else.*

Leo didn’t reply for 1 minute.

2 minutes.

She watched the 3 dots.

Appear.

Disappear.

Appear.

*Leo: I will. Promise. You’re my safe space. Not my secret. There’s a difference.*

*Liana: _exhales_ Okay. Then tell me — what meme made you laugh today? Back to safe space stuff?*

And they did.

Back to jokes.

Back to life.

Back to “did you see this customer” and “my generator is stressing me.”

But both of them knew:

the line was there.

Drawn in invisible ink.

And they had both chosen to stay on the right side of it.

Because sync is beautiful.

But honor is better.

Because being seen is sweet.

But being trusted is sacred.

---

_Another sunny Sunday after church..._

Liana came back from church..

Clothes off..

Bible and book on her shelf..

She took another bath and changed into something comfy.

Cream joggers.

Oversized T-shirt that said “What we wear .”

Hair wrapped.

No makeup.

Just peace.

Zara walked into the room..

She sat down on the chair with her phone in her hands..

*Zara: What are we eating this morning?*

Liana was wiping her face with baby wipes while looking at the mirror,

then she replied..

*Liana: I think we should eat jollof rice.. I've been craving it for a very long time now...*

The kind that stains the pot.

The kind that tastes like Sunday and memory.

*Zara: Oh yes, that will be nice... Then you have to go to the market to get the ingredients.*

*Liana: Yeah.. let me quickly change.. again..* she rolled her eyes and took off her clothes.

Again.

Because being a woman means changing twice before noon.

A few minutes later, she took note of what she needed and she was off to the market...

Pen in hand.

List in head.

Faith in her steps.

Bags full.

Tomatoes, pepper, spices, vegetable oil, chicken wings, cucumber, carrots, a jar of mayonnaise, cabbage...

The weight of feeding people.

Then the sky broke its promise.

Dark, fast and wind heavy.

The sky grew dark.

Not again..

Liana groaned out of frustration....

_Clouds swallowed the sun like a secret._

_Rain never asks before it falls._

_Rain is rude like that._

She hid under the umbrella of the man where she bought cabbages from..

when 2 more people squeezed in.

The rain fell heavy,

the umbrella wasn't strong enough to hold it.

Legs and hands cold..

as she clutched the shopping bag in her hands..

shaking lightly...

Water finding its way into her sneakers.

The keke in the park were few..

some don't work on Sunday,

some are still in church,

some attend Sunday meetings...

Benin on Sunday is a different kind of slow.

With the few keke..

none of them were going to Liana's direction..

Liana was already frustrated...

Looking at the sky,

the rain didn't look like it would stop anytime soon...

_The market floor turned to mud._

_The wind stole weak shades and scattered them._

_People ran with pure water on their heads like crowns._

People were complaining about the weather this season..

but no one dared to enter the rain..

the market floor was wet and muddy..

the sky grew darker..

heavy wind took the rain and threw it sideways..

like God was rinsing the city.

Then her phone buzzed..

She looked at it,

it was a text from Leo...

*Leo: You're wet...*

*Liana: Huh?* She didn't reply, just confused..

How did he know?

Leo chuckled while looking at her expression..

*look across*.. he texted..

Liana raised her head and she saw a black car that looked familiar..

the car window went down and Leo's handsome face showed,

he had a teasing smile on his face..

Hair a little wet.

White shirt.

Eyes that saw her before she saw him.

Liana smiled despite the rain...

Her phone buzzed again..

*wait there, I'll come get you* he texted..

He came down from his car with an umbrella in his arm...

and walked to her..

he took the shopping bag from her and smiled.

Like this was normal.

Like she was worth getting wet for.

_Rain paused, like it wanted to watch._

_The umbrella made a small roof against a big sky._

_The world narrowed to just them and the sound of water._

A lady who was also trying her possible best to hide from the rain under the medium-size umbrella said,

*Lady: "Fine sister... you wan comot leave me now? E good to get good boyfriend oo, see as e drive come pick you."* _she said jokingly in pidgin_

Liana opened her mouth.

Closed it.

Smiled instead.

They both walked to the car...

*Leo: You and jollof rice are heavy. You always answer with rain,* _he chuckled as he watched her shiver lightly while laughing..._

*Liana: Thanks, Leo.*

He opened the car door for her and dropped her shopping bag on the back seat...

he got to his seat.

*Liana: Thanks,* she said again.. *and, how do you know that I was here?* she was smiling, looking at him...

*Leo: Yh, I guess I needed to save a damsel in distress...* He replied and smiled.

*Liana: Thanks, my knight in shining armor,* she responded, smiling as she bowed her head lightly.

The car reversed and her eyes met the lady who teased both of them...

she was waving....

*Liana: Liana laughed and voiced out, "How do we explain to her that we aren't dating??"* _still laughing_

*Leo: _zoomed off_ "Do we have to?"* he questioned back, with one of his eyebrows up, looking at her in the eyes...

*Liana: "Go away, you have a girlfriend,"* Liana laughed out loud again....

then got serious.

The laughter faded but the warmth stayed.

*Liana: But Leo, tell me how did you know that I was there?... cause I was already frustrated and annoyed.. why does rain fall every time I want a clear sky?* she was demonstrating... hands moving.

*Leo: On my way back from a friend's place.. it was beginning to rain, then I remembered that you told me that you were going to the market and I know that you don't have a good relationship with the rain. It's always catching you off guard,* he smirked...

*Liana: Yh, you're right. I don't know why though,* she replied, looking at the window...

and she breathed out,

*"I don't know what I'll do without you, Leo,"* she said, exhaling...

The truth slipped out before she could catch it.

*Leo: Nah, it's nothing much..* he replied as he touched her hand...

Just once.

Quick.

Warm.

Then let go.

Boundaries intact.

*Liana: "Hands that cheat in chess..."* she laughed...

*Leo: You're cold. I bet your hot, spicy party jollof will make you hot,* he teased again...

*Liana: Yh, I guess... would you like some... I'll bring some for you tomorrow at your place...*

*Leo: Nah, I'm good... just send a picture of it when it's ready..* he smiled..

Because some things are better kept at a distance.

_The wipers beat a steady rhythm._

_Rain drew lines on the window._

_Rain drummed on the roof like fingers._

_The car smelled like ingredients and Leo._

When they got to her junction, the rain had slowed to a drizzle.

Leo parked, stepped out with the umbrella,

came around and opened her door.

Took the bags from the back seat.

Walked her to her gate.

Stood one step back under the umbrella.

Respect.

Space.

Honor.

*Liana: You didn’t have to drive me all the way...*

*Leo: Rain Plus market bags plus you shivering equals that I drive. That’s it. Nothing more.*

He handed her the bags.

Heavy with groceries.

Light with gratitude.

*Liana: _I should have given you a hug but I'm wet_... thanks, Leo. For everything.*

*Leo: No hugs needed. Just get inside, change, drink something hot.*

Liana smiled..

then she tiptoed and gave Leo a quick peck on the cheeks....

*thanks Leo....*

_She meant it._

_He heard it._

_He didn’t step closer.. he blinked more than twice, his heart skipped a beat, he wasn't expecting that, he smiled.._

A real one.

Caught off guard.

*Leo: Alright go in,* he managed to say under his hot breath.

She waved from the gate.

He waited, umbrella tilted toward her,

till she was inside.

Till the door closed.

Then he got back in the car and drove off into the drizzle.

Leaving her with groceries.

And a cheek that still remembered his warmth

---